7-azaindole derivatives as selective 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to 7-azaindole derivatives of formula I as selective inhibitors of the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD-1) and the use of such compounds for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, anxiety, depression, immune disorders, hypertension and other diseases and conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to 7-azaindole derivatives as selectiveinhibitors of the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1(11β-HSD-1) and the use of such compounds for the treatment andprevention of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity,lipid disorders, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, anxiety,depression, immune disorders, hypertension and other diseases andconditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) regulate the occupancy andactivation of steroid hormone receptors by converting steroid hormonesinto their inactive metabolites. For a recent review, see Nobel et al.,Eur. J. Biochem. 2001, 268: 4113-4125.

There exist numerous classes of HSDs. The 11-beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenases (11β-HSDs) catalyze the interconversion of activeglucocorticoids (such as cortisol and corticosterone), and their inertforms (such as cortisone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone). The isoform11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is widelyexpressed in liver, adipose tissue, brain, lung and other glucocorticoidtissue, while the isoform 2 (11β-HSD2) expression is limited to tissuesthat express the mineralocorticoid receptor, such as kidney, gut andplacenta. Then the inhibition of 11β-HSD2 is associated with seriousside effects, such as hypertension.

Excess cortisol is associated with numerous disorders, includingdiabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hypertension.The administration of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors decreases the level ofcortisol and other 11β-hydroxysteroids in target tissues, therebyreducing the effects of excessive amounts of cortisol and other11β-hydroxysteroids. Thus, 11β-HSD1 is a potential target for therapyassociated with numerous disorders that may be ameliorated by reductionof glucocorticoid action. Therefore, the inhibition of 11β-HSD1 can beused to prevent, treat or control diseases mediated by abnormally highlevels of cortisol and other 11β-hydroxysteroids, such as diabetes,obesity, hypertension or dyslipidemia. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 activityin the brain such as to lower cortisol levels may also be useful totreat or reduce anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment or age-relatedcognitive dysfunction (Seckl, et al., Endocrinology, 2001, 142:1371-1376).

Cortisol is an important and well recognized anti-inflammatory hormone,which also acts as an antagonist to the action of insulin in the liver,such that insulin sensitivity is reduced, resulting in increasedgluconeogenesis and elevated levels of glucose in the liver. Patientswho already have impaired glucose tolerance have a greater probabilityof developing type 2 diabetes in the presence of abnormally high levelsof cortisol (Long et al., J. Exp. Med. 1936, 63: 465-490; Houssay,Endocrinology 1942, 30: 884-892). In addition, it has been wellsubstantiated that 11β-HSD1 plays an important role in the regulation oflocal glucocorticoid effect and of glucose production in the liver(Jamieson et al., J. Endocrinol. 2000, 165: 685-692). In Walker, et al.,J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1995, 80: 3155-3159, it was reported thatthe administration of the non-specific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor carbenoxoloneresulted in improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in humans.

Furthermore, the hypothesized mechanism of action of 11β-HSD1 in thetreatment of diabetes has been supported by various experimentsconducted in mice and rats. These studies showed that the mRNA levelsand activities of two key enzymes in hepatic glucose production,phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase(G6Pase) were reduced upon administration of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. Inaddition, blood glucose levels and hepatic glucose production were shownto be reduced in 11β-HSD1 knockout mice. Additional data gathered usingthis murine knockout model also confirm that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 willnot cause hypoglycemia, since the basal levels of PEPCK and G6Pase areregulated independently of glucocorticoids (Kotelevtsev et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1997, 94: 14924-14929).

Therefore, the administration of a therapeutically effective amount ofan 11β-HSD1 inhibitor is effective in treating, controlling andameliorating the symptoms of diabetes, especially non-insulin dependentdiabetes (NIDDM, type 2 diabetes mellitus) and administration of atherapeutically effective amount of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor on a regularbasis delays, or prevents the onset of diabetes, particularly in humans.

The effect of elevated levels of cortisol is also observed in patientswho have Cushing's Syndrome, which is a metabolic disease characterizedby high levels of cortisol in the blood stream. Patients with Cushing'sSyndrome often develop NIDDM.

Excessive levels of cortisol have been associated with obesity, perhapsdue to increased hepatic gluconeogenesis. Abdominal obesity is closelyassociated with glucose intolerance, diabetes, hyperinsulinemia,hypertriglyceridemia and other factors of Metabolic Syndrome, such ashigh blood pressure, elevated VLDL and reduced HDL (Montague et al.,Diabetes, 2000, 49: 883-888). In obese subjects, 11β-HSD-1 activity inadipose tissue is markedly increased and positively correlated with bodymass. It has also been reported that inhibition of the 11β-HSD1 inpre-adipocytes (stromal cells) resulted in a decreased rate ofdifferentiation into adipocytes. This is predicted to result indiminished expansion (possibly reduction) of the omental fat depot,which may lead to reduced central obesity (Bujalska et al., Lancet 1997,349: 1210-1213).

Thus, the administration of an effective amount of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitoris useful in the treatment or control of obesity. Long-term treatmentwith an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor is also useful in delaying or preventing theonset of obesity, especially if the patient uses an 11β-HSD1 inhibitorin combination with controlled diet end exercise.

By reducing insulin resistance and maintaining serum glucose at normalconcentrations, compounds of the present invention also have utility inthe treatment and prevention of conditions that accompany type 2diabetes and insulin resistance, including the Metabolic Syndrome,obesity, reactive hypoglycemia and diabetic dyslipidemia.

Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in mature adipocytes is expected to attenuatesecretion of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), which is anindependent cardiovascular risk factor, as reported in Halleux et al.,J; Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1999, 84: 4097-4105. In addition, acorrelation has been shown to exist between glucocorticoid activity andcertain cardiovascular risk factors. This suggests that a reduction ofthe glucocorticoid effects would be beneficial in the treatment orprevention of certain cardiovascular diseases (Walker et al.,Hypertension 1998, 31: 891-895; and Fraser et al., Hypertension 1999,33: 1364 1368).

Since hypertension and dyslipidemia contribute to the development ofatherosclerosis and inhibition of 11β-HSD1 activity and a reduction inthe amount of cortisol are beneficial in treating or controllinghypertension, administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an11β-HSD1 inhibitor of the present invention may also be especiallybeneficial in treating, controlling or delaying the onset of orpreventing atherosclerosis.

11β-HSD1 has also been implicated in the process of appetite control andtherefore is believed to play an additional role in weight-relateddisorders. It is known that adrenalectomy attenuates the effect offasting to increase both food intake and hypothalamic neuropeptide Yexpression. This suggests that glucocorticoids play a role in promotingfood intake and that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in the brain may increasesatiety, thus resulting in a decreased food intake (Woods et al.,Science 1998, 280: 1378-1383).

Another possible therapeutic effect associated with modulation of11β-HSD1 is that which is related to various pancreatic aliments. It isreported that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in murine pancreatic β-cellsincreases glucose stimulated insulin secretion (Davani et al., J. Biol.Chem. 2000, 275: 34841-34844). This follows from the preceding discoverythat glucocorticoids were previously found to be responsible for reducedpancreatic insulin release in vivo (Billaudel et al., Norm. Metab. Res.1979, 11: 555-560). Thus, it is suggested that inhibition of 11β-HSD1would yield other beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes otherthan the predicted effects on the liver and of fat reduction.

Excessive levels of cortisol in the brain may also result in neuronalloss or dysfunction through the potentiation of neurotoxins.Administration of an effective amount of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor resultsin the reduction, amelioration, control or prevention of cognitiveimpairment associated with aging and of neuronal dysfunction. Cognitiveimpairment has been associated with aging, and excess levels of cortisolin the brain (see J. R. Seckl and B. R. Walker, Endocrinology, 2001,142: 1371 1376, and references cited therein). 11β-HSD1 also regulatesglucocorticoid activity in the brain and thus contributes toneurotoxicity (Rajan et al., Neuroscience 1996, 16: 65-70; Seckl et al.,Necroendocrinol. 2000, 18: 49-99). Stress and/or glucocorticoids areknown to influence cognitive function (de Quervain et al., Nature 1998,394: 787-790), and unpublished results indicate significant memoryimprovement in rats treated with a non-specific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor.These reports, in addition to the known effects of glucocorticoids inthe brain, suggest that inhibiting 11β-HSD1 in the brain may have apositive therapeutic effect against anxiety, depression and relatedconditions (Tronche et al., Nature Genetics 1999, 23: 99-103). 11β-HSD1reactivates 11-dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone in hippocampalcells and can potentiate kinase neurotoxicity, resulting in age-relatedlearning impairments. Therefore, selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 arebelieved to protect against hippocampal function decline with age (Yauet al., Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2001, 98: 4716-4721). Thus, it hasbeen hypothesized that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in the human brain wouldprotect against deleterious glucocorticoid-mediated effects on neuronalfunction, such as cognitive impairment, depression, and increasedappetite.

Furthermore, 11β-HSD1 is believed to play a role in immunomodulationbased on the general perception that glucocorticoids suppress the immunesystem. There is known to be a dynamic interaction between the immunesystem and the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis (Rook,Baillier's Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2000, 13: 576-581), andglucocorticoids help balance between cell-mediated responses andhumoral, responses. Increased glucocorticoid activity, which may beinduced by stress, is associated with a humoral response and as such,the inhibition of 11β-HSD1 may result in shifting the response towards acell-based reaction. In certain disease states, such as tuberculosis,leprosy and psoriasis, and even under conditions of excessive stress,high glucocorticoid activity shifts the immune response to a humoralresponse, when in fact a cell based response may be more beneficial tothe patient. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 activity and the attendant reductionin glucocorticoid levels on the other hand shifts the immune responsetoward a cell based response (D. Mason, Immunology Today, 1991, 12:57-60, and G.A.Vt. Rook, Baillier's Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 1999, 13:576-581). It follows then, that an alternative utility of 11β-HSD1inhibition would be to bolster a temporal immune response in associationwith immunization to ensure that a cell based response would beobtained.

Recent reports suggest that the levels of glucocorticoid targetreceptors and of HSDs are connected with the susceptibility to glaucoma(J. Stokes et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. 2000, 41: 1629-1638). Further, aconnection between inhibition of 11β-HSD1 and a lowering of theintraocular pressure was recently reported (Walker et al., poster P3-698at the Endocrine society meeting Jun. 12-15, 1999, San Diego). It wasshown that administration of the nonspecific 11β-HSD1 inhibitorcarbenoxolone resulted in the reduction of the intraocular pressure by20% in normal patients. In the eye, 11β-HSD1 is expressed exclusively inthe basal cells of the corneal epithelium, the non-pigmented epitheliumof the cornea (the site of aqueous production), ciliary muscle, and thesphincter and dilator muscles of the iris. In contrast, the distantisoenzyme 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (“11β-HSD2”) is highlyexpressed in the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium and cornealendothelium. No HSDs have been found at the trabecular meshwork, whichis the site of drainage. Therefore, 11β-HSD1 is suggested to have a rolein aqueous production and inhibition of 11β-HSD1 activity is useful inreducing intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma.

Glucocorticoids also play an essential role in skeletal development andfunction but are detrimental to such development and function whenpresent in excess. Glucocorticoid-induced bone loss is partially derivedfrom suppression of osteoblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, asreported in C. H. Kim et al., J. Endocrinol. 1999, 162: 371 379. It hasbeen reported that the detrimental effects of glucocorticoids on bonenodule formation can be lessened by administration of carbenoxolone,which is a non-specific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor (C. G. Bellows et al., Bone1998, 23: 119-125). Additional reports suggest that 11β-HSD1 mayberesponsible for providing increased levels of active glucocorticoid inosteoclasts, and thus in augmenting bone resorption (M. S. Cooper etal., Bone 2000, 27: 375-381). This data suggests that inhibition of11β-HSD1 may have beneficial effects against osteoporosis via one ormore mechanisms which may act in parallel.

11β-HSD1 inhibitors are known e.g. from the WO0410629, WO03065983,WO04089896, WO04089380, WO04065351, WO04033427 or WO04041264. For arecent review see M. Wamil and J. R. Seckl (Drug Discovery Today; June2007, page 504-520) and C. D. Boyle, T. J. Kowalski and L. Zhang (Annualreports in medicinal chemistry; 2006, 41, 127-140). However, 7-azaindolederivatives are not disclosed as active 11β-HSD1 inhibitors.

3-substituted-heterocycloalkyl-7-azaindoles are disclosed for examplesin WO2004106346 and WO2004106298 as binders of dopamine D2, D3 and D4receptors and acting as 5-HT_(1A) agonists or partial agonists.7-azaindolones are disclosed in WO2006099268, WO2006044504, WO2005013894as antagonists for CGRP receptors. 5-acyl-7-azaindoles are disclosed inWO2005085244 for inhibiting JNK3. 2-aryl and 2-heteroaryl-7-azaindolesare claimed as ltk inhibitors. Azaindole-3-piperidines are disclosed inWO2003082867 as H₁ histamine receptor antagonists. However, none of theabove publications encompass the 7-azaindole derivatives of the presentinvention nor the use of the disclosed compounds as 11β-HSD1 inhibitors.

WO2007050381 discloses certain 3-(N-acyl-piperidine-4-yl)-7-azaindolesas ORL-1 receptor modulators. The compounds are useful for treating,preventing or ameliorating an ORL-1 receptor mediated disorder.

Thus, as there remains a continuing need in advantageous therapeutics, apreferred object of the present invention was to provide newpharmaceutically active compounds for the treatment of diseases such asdiabetes, obesity, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, immunedisorders, depression, hypertension, and others.

The citation of any reference in this application is not an admissionthat the reference is prior art to this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, it was found that the compounds of the present inventionare very active 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. Therefore, an embodiment of thepresent invention are compounds of the formula I,

wherein

-   R¹, R² are independently from each other H, A, cycloalkyl,    haloalkyl, Ar, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl,-   R³, R⁴ are independently from each other H, A, Hal or OH,-   R⁵, R⁶ are independently from each other H, A, haloalkyl or Hal,-   X is —(C)_(m)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O)₂—,-   Y is A, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, phenyl or    heteroaryl optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A,    C₁₋₄alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,    C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or R⁷R⁸NC₁₋₄alkyloxy-   R⁷, R⁸ are independently from each other C₁₋₄alkyl or    C₄₋₇cycloalkyl,-   n is 1 or 2, and-   m is 0 or 1,    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention are compounds accordingto formula I,

-   R¹, R² are independently from each other H, A, cycloalkyl,    haloalkyl, Ar, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl,-   R³, R⁴ are independently from each other H, A, Hal or OH,-   R⁵, R⁶ are independently from each other H, A, haloalkyl or Hal,-   X is —(C)_(m)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O)₂—,-   Y is A, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, phenyl or    heteroaryl optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A,    C₁₋₄alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,    C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl,

C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or R⁷R⁸NC₁₋₄alkyloxy

-   R⁷, R⁸ are independently from each other C₁₋₄alkyl or    C₄₋₇cycloalkyl,-   n is 1, and-   m is 0 or 1,    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention are compounds accordingto formula I, wherein

-   R¹, R² are independently from each other A, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl,    Ar, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl,-   R³, R⁴ are independently from each other H, A, Hal or OH,-   R⁵, R⁶ are independently from each other H, A, haloalkyl or Hal,-   X is —(C)_(m)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O)₂—,-   Y is A, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, phenyl or    heteroaryl optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A,    C₁₋₄alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,    C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or R⁷R⁸NC₁₋₄alkyloxy-   R⁷, R⁸ are independently from each other C₁₋₄alkyl or    C₄₋₇cycloalkyl,-   n is 1, and-   m is 0 or 1,    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios,

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention are compoundsaccording to formula I, wherein

-   R¹, R² are independently from each other A, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl,    Ar, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl,-   R³, R⁴ are independently from each other H, A, Hal or OH,-   R⁵, R⁶ are independently from each other H or Hal,-   X is —(C)_(m)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O)₂—,-   Y is A, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, phenyl or    heteroaryl optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A,    C₁₋₄alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,    C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or R⁷R⁸NC₁₋₄alkyloxy-   R⁷, R⁸ are independently from each other C₁₋₄alkyl or    C₄₋₇cycloalkyl,-   n is 1, and-   m is 0 or 1,    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention are compoundsaccording to formula I, wherein

-   R¹, R² are independently from each other A, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl,    Ar, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl,-   R³, R⁴ are independently from each other H, A, Hal or OH,-   R⁵, R⁶ are independently from each other H,-   X is —(C)_(m)—,-   Y is aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, phenyl or heteroaryl optionally mono-,    di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl,    trifluoromethoxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or    R⁷R⁸NC₁₋₄alkyloxy-   R⁷, R⁸ are independently from each other C₁₋₄alkyl or    C₄₋₇cycloalkyl,-   n is 1, and-   m is 0,    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention are compoundsaccording to formula I, wherein

-   R¹, R² are independently from each other H, A, cycloalkyl,    haloalkyl, Ar, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl,-   R³, R⁴ are independently from each other H, A, Hal or OH,-   R⁵, R⁶ are independently from each other H, A, haloalkyl or Hal,-   X is —(C)_(m)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O)₂—,-   Y is A, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, phenyl or    heteroaryl optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by Hal, A,    C₁₋₄alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,    C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or R⁷R⁸NC₁₋₄alkyloxy-   R⁷, R⁸ are independently from each other C₁₋₄alkyl or    C₄₋₇cycloalkyl,-   n 2, and-   m is 0 or 1,    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios.

Another especially preferred embodiment of the present invention arecompounds according to formula I, selected from the group consisting of

-   a)    (2-Fluoro-phenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   b)    (4-Methoxy-2-methylphenyl)[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   c)    (Cyclohexyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   d)    (Pyridin-3-yl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   e)    [3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-o-tolyl-methanone-   f)    (2-Methyl-2-phenyl-1)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one-   g)    4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   h)    (1-Phenyl-cyclopropyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone)-   i)    2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one-   j)    2-Methyl-2-phenoxy-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one-   k)    (1-4(Chloro-phenyl)cyclobutyl-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   l)    2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one-   m)    2-Methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazine-1-yl]-propane-1-one-   n)    4-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-butan-1-one-   o)    2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one-   p)    [1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)cyclopropyl]-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-methanone-   q)    4-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-butan-1-one-   r)    [1-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   s)    [1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone-   t)    2-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-ethanone    and the physiologically acceptable salts, derivatives, prodrugs,    solvates and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in    all ratios.

The nomenclature as used herein for defining compounds, especially thecompounds according to the invention, is in general based on the rulesof the IUPAC-organisation for chemical compounds and especially organiccompounds.

The term “hydroxyl” means an OH group.

The terms “Alkyl” or “A”, as well as other groups having the prefix“alk”, such as alkenyl, alkoxy and alkanoyl, mean carbon chains whichmay be linear or branched, and combinations thereof, unless the carbonchain is defined otherwise. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl,ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec- and tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and the like. Where the specified number of carbonatoms permits, e.g., from C₃-C₁₀, the term alkyl also includescycloalkyl groups, and combinations of linear or branched alkyl chainscombined with cycloalkyl structures. When no number of carbon atoms isspecified, C₁-C₆ is intended. Especially preferred C₁-C₄alkyl. AC₁-C₄alkyl radical is for example a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl.

“Cycloalkyl” is a subset of alkyl and is understood as meaning asaturated monocyclic hydrocarbon, and with respect to the term “C₃₋₉cycloalkyl” having 3 to 9 carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl includecyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclooctyl, and the like. A cycloalkyl group generally is monocyclicunless stated otherwise. Cycloalkyl groups are saturated unlessotherwise defined. A C₄-C₆cycloalkyl radical is for example acyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl.

The terms “Aryl” o “Ar” mean a mono- or polycyclic aromatic ring systemcontaining carbon ring atoms. The preferred aryls are monocyclic orbicyclic 6-10 membered aromatic ring systems. Examples of “aryl” groupsinclude, but are not limited to phenyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-naphthyl,biphenyl, indanyl as well as substituted derivatives thereof. The mostpreferred aryl is phenyl.

The term “alkyloxy” means alkoxy groups of a straight or branchedconfiguration. “C₁-C₄alkyloxy” means alkoxy groups of a straight orbranched configuration having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Asused herein the term “aryloxy” preferably refers to the group AO—,wherein A is aryl as defined above. C₁-C₄alkyloxy is for example amethoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy and the like.

The term “aryloxy” means alkoxy groups of a mono- or polycyclic aromaticring system containing carbon ring atoms. As used herein the term“aryloxy” preferably refers to the group ArO—, wherein Ar is aryl asdefined above. Examples of “aryloxy” groups include, but are not limitedto phenyloxy, 2-naphthyloxy, 1-naphthyloxy, biphenyloxy, indanyloxy aswell as substituted derivatives thereof. The most preferred aryloxy isphenyloxy.

“Heteroaryl” or “Het” means an aromatic or partially aromaticheterocycle that contains at least one ring heteroatom selected from O,S and N. Heteroaryls thus includes heteroaryls fused to other kinds ofrings, such as aryls, cycloalkyls and heterocycles that are notaromatic. Examples of heteroaryl groups include: pyrrolyl, isoxazolyl,isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,thiazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furanyl, triazinyl,thienyl, pyrimidyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl,benzothiadiazolyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, indolinyl, pyridazinyl,indazolyl, isoxazolyl, isoindolyl, dihydrobenzothienyl, indolizinyl,cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, naphthyridinyl, carbazolyl,benzdioxinyl, benzodioxolyl, quinoxalinyl, purinyl, furazanyl,thiophenyl, isobenzylfuranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl,benzothienyl, quinolyl, indolyl, isoquinolyl, dibenzofuranyl, and thelike. For heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups, rings and ring systemscontaining from 3-15 atoms are included, forming 1-3 rings.

As used herein, the term “carbonyl” or “carbonyl moiety” preferablyrefers to the group C=O.

As used herein, the term “alkylcarbonyl” preferably refers to the groupAC(O)—, wherein A is alkyl as defined herein.

As used herein, the term “alkoxycarbonyl” or “alkyloxycarbonyl”preferably refers to the group AOC(O)—, wherein A is alkyl as definedherein.

Heterocycloalkyl represents a mono-, bi- or tricyclic hydrocarboncontaining from 3 to 18 ring atoms preferably from 3 to 7 ring atoms andcontains one or more, preferably 1 to 3, heteroatoms selected from O, Nor S.

Heterocycloalkyl represents for example pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholinyl, indolinylmethyl, imidazolinylmethyl and2-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl

As used herein, the term “alkoxyalkyl” preferably refers to the groupAOA-, wherein A is alkyl as defined herein. An alkoxyalkyl refers to ahydrocarbon chain interrupted by an oxygen atom.

As used herein, the term “heteroaryloxy” preferably refers to the groupHetO—, wherein Het is a heteroaryl as defined herein.

The term “Hal” refers to fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) oriodine (I). Bromine and fluorine are generally preferred. Fluorine ismost preferred, when the halogens are substituted on an alkyl(haloalkyl) or alkoxy group (e.g. CF₃ and CF₃O).

As used herein, the term “haloalkyl” preferably refers to an alkyl groupas defined above containing at least one carbon atom substituted with atleast one halogen, halogen being as defined herein. Examples of branchedor straight chained “C₁-C₆ haloalkyl” groups useful in the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, isobutyl and n-butyl substituted independently with one ormore halogens, e.g., fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

The term “composition”, as in pharmaceutical composition, is intended toencompass a product comprising the active ingredient(s), and the inertingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product whichresults, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation oraggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociationof one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions orinteractions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, thepharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass anycomposition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The terms “administration of” and “administering a” compound should beunderstood to mean providing a compound of the invention or a prodrug ofa compound of the invention to the individualist need.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” means that amount of a drugor pharmaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medicalresponse of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought, forinstance, by a researcher or clinician. Furthermore, the term“therapeutically effective amount” means any amount which, as comparedto a corresponding subject who has not received such amount, results inimproved treatment, healing, prevention, or amelioration of a disease,disorder, or side effect, or a decrease in the rate of advancement of adisease or disorder. The term also includes within its scope amountseffective to enhance normal physiological function.

Compounds of structural formula I may contain one or more asymmetriccenters and can thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, singleenantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. Thepresent invention is meant to comprehend, all such isomeric forms of thecompounds of structural formula I. Some of the compounds describedherein contain olefinic double bonds, and unless specified otherwise,are meant to include both E and Z geometric isomers.

Some of the compounds described herein may exist as tautomers such asketo-enol tautomers. The individual tautomers, as well as mixturesthereof, are encompassed within the compounds of structural formula I.

Compounds of structural formula I may be separated into the individualdiastereoisomers by, for example, fractional crystallization from asuitable solvent, for example methanol; or ethyl acetate or a mixturethereof, or via chiral chromatography using an optically activestationary phase. Absolute stereochemistry may be determined by X-raycrystallography of crystalline products or crystalline intermediateswhich are derivatized, if necessary, with a reagent containing anasymmetric center of known absolute configuration.

Alternatively, any stereoisomer of a compound of the general structuralformula I may be obtained by stereospecific synthesis using opticallypure starting materials or reagents of known absolute configuration.

In a different aspect of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition isaddressed I comprising a compound in accordance with structural formulaI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, incombination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

By the term “solvate” is meant a hydrate, an alcoholate, or othersolvate of crystallization.

The compounds can be prepared by general methods according to schemes 1to 3, shown below. In all preparative methods, all starting material isknown or may easily prepared from known starting materials.

Therefore, a further embodiment of the present invention is a method forthe preparation of the compounds of the present invention, characterizedin that

-   -   a) an azaindole of formula II, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined        above, is formylated to obtain the aldehyde of formula III,        wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above, said aldehyde of formula        III is reacted with ethylcyanoacetate followed by Michael        addition of cyanide, acidic cyclization and hydride reduction to        obtain a pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV, wherein R⁵ and R⁶        are as defined above, acylation of said pyrrolidino-azaindole of        formula IV, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above with        activated carboxylic acid of formula V wherein R¹, R², X and Y        are as defined above is performed to obtain the compound of        formula I wherein R¹, R², R⁵, R⁶X and Y are as defined above,

-   -   b) an azaindole of formula II, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined        above, is condensed with a bromo-maleimide Vi to obtain the        pyrrolidinedione of formula VII, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as        defined above, hydrogenation of said pyrrolidinedione of formula        VII followed successively by benzylic deprotection and hydride        reduction produced a pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV,        wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above, acylation of said        pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as        defined above with activated carboxylic acid of formula V        wherein R¹, R², X and Y are as defined above is performed to        obtain the compound of formula I wherein R¹, R², R⁵, R⁶X and Y        are as defined above,

-   -   c) an azaindole of formula II, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined        above, is reacted under basic media with a ketone VIII, wherein        R³, R⁴ and n are as defined above to obtain a mixture of olefins        of formula IX and X, wherein R³,R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and n are as defined        above, hydrogenation of said olefins of formula IX and X wherein        R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and n are as defined above followed by Boc        deprotection yielded a pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula XI,        wherein R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and n are as defined above, acylation of        said pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula XI, wherein R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶        and n are as defined above is reacted with activated carboxylic        acid of formula V wherein R¹, R², X and Y are as defined above        to obtain the compound of formula I wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵,        R⁶, X and Y are as defined above,

-   -   d) a residue X, Y, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and/or R⁸ as        defined in claim 1, is converted in another residue X, Y, R¹,        R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and/or R⁸, e.g. by introducing an alkyl        group, or    -   e) a compound of formula I is isolated and/or treated with an        acid or a base, to obtain the salt thereof.

All crude products were subjected to standard chromatography usingsolvent mixtures containing methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-hexane,cyclohexane or petrol ether, respectively.

For a further detailed description of the manufacturing processes,please see also the examples and the following general description ofthe preferred conditions.

A physiologically acceptable salt of a compound according to formula Ican also be obtained by isolating and/or treating the compound offormula I obtained by the described reaction with an acid or a base.

The compounds of the formula I and also the starting materials for theirpreparation are, are prepared by methods as described in the examples orby methods known per se, as described in the literature (for example instandard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie[Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart; OrganicReactions, John Wiley & Sons, inc., New York), to be precise underreaction conditions which are known and suitable for the said reactions.Use can also be made here of variants which are known per se, but arenot mentioned here in greater detail.

The starting materials for the claimed process may, if desired, also beformed in situ by not isolating them from the reaction mixture, butinstead immediately converting them further into the compounds of theformula I. On the other hand, it is possible to carry out the reactionstepwise.

Preferably, the reaction of the compounds is carried out in the presenceof a suitable solvent, which is preferably inert under the respectivereaction conditions. Examples of suitable solvents are hydrocarbons,such as hexane, petroleum ether, benzene, toluene or xylene; chlorinatedhydrocarbons, such as trichlorethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane,tetrachloromethane, chloroform or dichloromethane; alcohols, such asmethanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol or tert-butanol;ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF)or dioxane; glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ormonoethyl ether or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme); ketones,such as acetone or butanone; amides, such as acetamide,dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methylpyrrolidinone(NMP); nitriles, such as acetonitrile; sulfoxides, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO); nitro compounds, such as nitromethane or nitrobenzene;esters, such as ethyl acetate, or mixtures of the said solvents ormixtures with water. Polar solvents are in general preferred. Examplesfor suitable polar solvents are chlorinated hydrocarbons, alcohols,glycol ethers, nitriles, amides and sulfoxides or mixtures thereof. Morepreferred are amides, especially dimethylformamide (DMF).

As stated above, the reaction temperature is between about −100° C. and300° C., depending on the reaction step and the conditions used.

Reaction times are generally in the range between some minutes andseveral days, depending on the reactivity of the respective compoundsand the respective reaction conditions. Suitable reaction times arereadily determinable by methods known in the art, for example reactionmonitoring. Based on the reaction temperatures given above, suitablereaction times generally lie in the range between 10 min and 48 hrs.

A base of the formula I can be converted into the associatedacid-addition salt using an acid, for example by reaction of equivalentamounts of the base and the acid in a preferably inert solvent, such asethanol, followed by evaporation. Suitable acids for this reaction are,in particular, those which give physiologically acceptable salts. Thus,it is possible to use inorganic acids, for example sulfuric acid,sulfurous acid, dithionic acid, nitric acid, hydrohalic acids, such ashydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acids, such as, forexample, orthophosphoric acid, sulfamic acid, furthermore organic acids,in particular aliphatic, alicyclic, araliphatic, aromatic orheterocyclic monobasic or polybasic carboxylic, sulfonic or sulfuricacids, for example formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoicacid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoicacid, pivalic acid, diethylacetic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid,pimelic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid,malic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid,isonicotinic acid, methane- or ethanesulfonic acid, ethanedisulfonicacid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid,trimethoxybenzoic acid, adamantanecarboxylic acid, p-toluenesulfonicacid, glycolic acid, embonic acid, chlorophenoxyacetic acid, asparticacid, glutamic acid, proline, glyoxylic acid, palmitic acid,parachlorophenoxyisobutyric acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, glucose1-phosphate, naphthalenemono- and -disulfonic acids or laurylsulfuricacid.

Salts with physiologically unacceptable acids, for example picrates, canbe used to isolate and/or purify the compounds of the formula I.

On the other hand, compounds of the formula I can be converted into thecorresponding metal salts, in particular alkali metal salts or alkalineearth metal salts, or into the corresponding ammonium salts, using bases(for example sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate orpotassium carbonate). Suitable salts are furthermore substitutedammonium salts, for example the dimethyl-, diethyl- anddiisopropylammonium salts, monoethanol-, diethanol- anddiisopropanolammonium salts, cyclohexyl- and dicyclohexylammonium salts,dibenzylethylenediammonium salts, furthermore, for example, salts witharginine or lysine.

If desired, the free bases of the formula I can be liberated from theirsalts by treatment with strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, so long asno further acidic groups are present in the molecule. In the cases wherethe compounds of the formula I have free acid groups, salt formation canlikewise be achieved by treatment with bases. Suitable bases are alkalimetal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides or organic bases inthe form of primary, secondary or tertiary amines.

Every reaction step described herein can optionally be followed by oneor more working up procedures and/or isolating procedures. Suitable suchprocedures are known in the art, for example from standard works, suchas Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of OrganicChemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart). Examples for suchprocedures include, but are not limited to evaporating a solvent,distilling, crystallization, fractionised crystallization, extractionprocedures, washing procedures, digesting procedures, filtrationprocedures, chromatography, chromatography by HPLC and dryingprocedures, especially drying procedures in vacuo and/or elevatedtemperature.

The compounds described herein are selective inhibitors of the 11β-HSD1enzyme. Thus, the present invention relates to the use of the compoundsof the present invention as for inhibiting the reductase activity of11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, which is responsible for theconversion of cortisone to cortisol.

The 11β-HSD1 inhibitors of structural formula I generally have aninhibition constant IC50 of less than about 500 nM, and preferably lessthan about 100 nM. Generally, the 1050 ratio 11β-HSD2 to 11β-HSD1 of acompound is at least about two or more, and preferably about ten orgreater. Even more preferred are compounds with an 1050 ratio for11β-HSD2 to 11β-HSD1 of about 20 or greater. For example, compounds ofthe present invention ideally demonstrate an inhibition constant IC50against 11β-HSD2 greater than about 1000 nM, and preferably greater than5000 nM.

The present invention includes the use of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor for thetreatment, control, amelioration, prevention, delaying the onset of orreducing the risk of developing the diseases and conditions that aredescribed herein, as mediated by excess or uncontrolled amounts ofcortisol and/or other corticosteroids in a mammalian patient,particularly a human, by the administration of an effective amount of acompound of structural formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltor solvate thereof. Inhibition of the 11β-HSD1 enzyme limits theconversion of cortisone, which is normally inert, to cortisol, which cancause or contribute to the symptoms of these diseases and conditions ifpresent in excessive amounts.

Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use ofa compound of the present invention as 11β-HSD1 inhibitor.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of acompound of the present invention for the preparation of a medicament.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of acompound of the present invention for the preparation of a medicamentfor the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, which are caused,mediated and/or propagated by high cortisol

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of acompound of the present invention for the preparation of a medicamentfor the treatment and/or prevention of one or more disease or conditionselected from the group consisting of metabolic syndrome, diabetes,especially non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, insulinresistance, low glucose tolerance, hyperglycemia, obesity andweight-related disorders, lipid disorders such as dyslipidemia,hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDLlevels or high LDL levels, glaucoma, osteoporosis,glucocorticoid-mediated effects on neuronal function, such as cognitiveimpairment, anxiety or depression, neurodegenerative disease, immunedisorders such as tuberculosis, leprosy or psoriasis, hypertension,atherosclerosis and its sequelae, vascular restenosis, cardiovasculardiseases, pancreatitis, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a conditionselected from the; group consisting of: hyperglycemia, low glucosetolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, dyslipidemia,hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDLlevels, high LDL levels, atherosclerosis and its sequelae, vascularrestenosis, pancreatitis, abdominal obesity, neurodegenerative disease,retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, Metabolic Syndrome, hypertensionand other conditions and disorders where insulin resistance is acomponent, in a mammalian patient in need of such treatment isdisclosed, comprising administering to the patient a compound inaccordance with structural formula I in an amount that is effective totreat said condition.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of delaying the onset of acondition selected from the group consisting of hyperglycemia, lowglucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders,dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia,hypercholesterolemia, low HDL levels, high LDL levels, atherosclerosisand its sequelae, vascular restenosis, pancreatitis, abdominal obesity,neurodegenerative disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy,Metabolic Syndrome, hypertension and other conditions and disorderswhere insulin resistance is a component in a mammalian patient in needof such treatment is disclosed, comprising administering to the patienta compound in accordance with structural formula I in an amount that iseffective to delay the onset of said condition.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is apharmaceutical composition, characterized in that it contains atherapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds according tothe invention.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceuticalcomposition, characterized in that it further contains one or moreadditional compounds, selected from the group consisting ofphysiologically acceptable excipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents,carriers and pharmaceutically active agents other than the compoundsaccording to the invention.

An additional preferred embodiment of the present invention is a set(kit) consisting of separate packets of

a) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds accordingto the invention and

b) a therapeutically effective amount one or more furtherpharmaceutically active agents other than the compounds according to theinvention.

Compounds of structural formula I may be used in combination with one ormore other drugs in the treatment, prevention, suppression oramelioration of diseases or conditions for which compounds of structuralformula I or the other drugs have utility. Typically the combination ofthe drugs is safer or more effective than either drug alone, or thecombination is safer or more effective than would it be expected basedon the additive properties of the individual drugs. Such other drug(s)may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly usedcontemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of structural formulaI. When a compound of structural formula I is used contemporaneouslywith one or more other drugs, a combination product containing suchother drug(s) and the compound of structural formula I is preferred.However, combination therapy also includes therapies in which thecompound of structural formula I and one or more other drugs areadministered on different overlapping schedules. It is contemplated thatwhen used in combination with other active ingredients, the compound ofthe present invention or the other active ingredient or both may be usedeffectively in lower doses than when each is used alone. Accordingly,the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include thosethat contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to acompound of structural formula I. Examples of other active ingredientsthat may be administered in combination with a compound of structuralformula I, and either administered separately or in the samepharmaceutical composition, include, but are not limited to: dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DP-IV) inhibitors; insulin sensitizing agents includingPPARγ agonists such as the glitazones (e.g. troglitazone, pioglitazone,englitazone, MCC-555, rosiglitazone, and the like) and other PPARligands, including PPARα/γ dual agonists, such as KRP-297, and PPARαagonists such as gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate,and biguanides, such as metformin and phenformin; insulin or insulinmimetics; sulfonylureas and other insulin secretagogues such astolbutamide, glipizide, meglitinide and related materials; α-glucosidaseinhibitors, such as acarbose; glucagon receptor antagonists such asthose disclosed in WO 98/04528, WO 99/01423, WO 00/39088 and WO00/69810; GLP-1, GLP-1 analogs, and GLP-1 receptor agonists such asthose disclosed in WO 00/42026 and WO 00/59887; GIP, GIP mimetics suchas those disclosed in WO 00/58360, and GIP receptor agonists; PACAP,PACAP mimetics, and PACAP receptor 3 agonists such as those disclosed inWO 01/23420; cholesterol lowering agents such as HMG-CoA reductaseinhibitors (lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cerivastatin,fluvastatin, atorvastatin, itavastatin, rosuvastatin, and otherstating), bile-acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol, anddialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of a cross-linked dextran), nicotinylalcohol, nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, inhibitors of cholesterolabsorption, such as ezetimibe and beta-sitosterol, acyl CoA:cholesterolacyltransferase inhibitors, such as, for example, avasimibe, andanti-oxidants, such as probucol; PPARδ agonists, such as those disclosedin WO 97/28149; antiobesity compounds such as fenfluramine,dextenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y1 orY5 antagonists, CB 1 receptor inverse agonists and antagonists,adrenergic receptor agonists, melanocortin-receptor agonists, inparticular melanocortin-4 receptor agonists, ghrelin antagonists, andmelanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor antagonists; ileal bileacid transporter inhibitors; agents intended for use in inflammatoryconditions other than glucocorticoids, such as aspirin, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs, azulfidine, and selective cyclooxygenase-2inhibitors; protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) inhibitors;antihypertensives including those acting on the angiotensin or reninsystems, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensinII receptor antagonists or renin inhibitors, such as captopril,cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, quinapril, ramapril,zofenopril, candesartan, cilexetil, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan,tasosartan, telnisartan, and valsartan; and inhibitors of cholesterylester transfer protein (CETP). The above combinations include a compoundof structural formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orsolvate thereof, with one or more other active compounds. Non limitingexamples include combinations of compounds of structural formula I withtwo or more active compounds selected from biguanides, sulfonylureas,HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, PPAR agonists, PTP-1B inhibitors, DP-IVinhibitors, and anti-obesity compounds.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of reducing the risk ofdeveloping a condition selected from the group consisting ofhyperglycemia, low glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, lipiddisorders, dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia,hypercholesterolemia, low HDL levels, high LDL levels, atherosclerosisand its sequelae, vascular restenosis, pancreatitis, abdominal obesity,neurodegenerative disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy,Metabolic Syndrome, hypertension and other conditions and disorderswhere insulin resistance is a component in a mammalian patient in needof such treatment is disclosed, comprising administering to the patienta compound in accordance with structural formula I in an amount that iseffective to reduce the risk of developing said condition.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a conditionselected from the group consisting of hyperglycemia, low glucosetolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, dyslipidemia,hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, low HDLlevels, high LDL levels, atherosclerosis and its sequelae, vascularrestenosis, pancreatitis, abdominal obesity, neurodegenerative disease,retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, Metabolic Syndrome, hypertensionand other conditions and disorders where insulin resistance is acomponent, in a mammalian patient in need of such treatment, comprisingadministering to the patient an effective amount of a compound asdefined in structural; formula I and a compound selected from the groupconsisting of: dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DP-IV); inhibitors; insulinsensitizing agents selected from the group consisting of PPARγ agonists,PPARα, agonists, PPARα/γ dual agonists, and biguanides; insulin andinsulin mimetics; sulfonylureas and other insulin secretagogues;α-glucosidase inhibitors; glucagon receptor antagonists; GLP-1, GLP-1analogs, and GLP-1 receptor agonists; GIP, GIP mimetics, and GIPreceptor agonists; PACAP, PACAP mimetics, and PACAP receptor 3 agonists;cholesterol lowering agents selected from the group consisting ofHMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, sequestrants, nicotinyl alcohol, nicotinicacid and salts thereof, inhibitors of cholesterol absorption, acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitors, and anti-oxidants; PPARδagonists; antiobesity compounds; ileal bile acid transporter inhibitors;anti-inflammatory agents, excluding glucocorticoids; protein tyrosinephosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) inhibitors; and antihypertensives includingthose acting on the angiotensin or renin systems, such as angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists orrenin inhibitors, such as captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril,lisinopril, quinapril, ramapril, zofenopril, candesartan, cilexetil,eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, tasosartan, telmisartan, andvalsartan; said compounds being administered to the patient in an amountthat is effective to treat said condition. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IVinhibitors that can be combined with compounds of structural formula Iinclude those disclosed in WO 03/004498, WO 03/004496; EP 1 258 476; WO02/083128; WO 02/062764; WO 03/00025; WO 03/002530; WO 03/002531; WO03/002553; WO 03/002593; WO 03/000180; and WO 03/000181. Specific DP-IVinhibitor compounds include isoleucine thiazolidide; NVP-DPP728; P32/98;and LAF 237.

Antiobesity compounds that can be combined with compounds of structuralformula I include fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, phentermine,sibutramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y1 or Y5 antagonists, cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, melanocortin receptoragonists, in particular, melanocortin-4 receptor agonists, ghrelinantagonists, and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptorantagonists. For a review of anti-obesity compounds that can be combinedwith compounds of structural formula I, see S. Chaki et al., “Recentadvances in feeding suppressing agents: potential therapeutic strategyfor the treatment of obesity,” Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 11: 1677-1692(2001) and D. Spanswick and K. Lee, “Emerging antiobesity drugs,” ExpertOpin. Emerging Drugs, 8: 217-237 (2003).

Neuropeptide Y5 antagonists that can be combined with compounds ofstructural formula I include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,335,345and WO 01/14376; and specific compounds identified as GW59884A;GW569180A; LY366377; and COP-71683A.

Cannabinoid CB 1 receptor antagonists that can be combined withcompounds of formula I include those disclosed in PCT Publication WO03/007887; U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,941, such as rimonabant; PCT PublicationWO 021076949, such as SLV-319; U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,084; PCT PublicationWO 98/41519; PCT Publication WO 00/10968; PCT Publication WO 99/02499;U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,237; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,736.

Melanocortin receptor agonists that can be combined with compounds offormula I include those disclosed in WO 03/009847; WO 02/068388; WO99/64002; WO 00/74679; WO 01/70708; and WO 01/70337 as well as thosedisclosed in J. D. Speake et al., “Recent advances in the development ofmelanocortin-4 receptor agonists, Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 12:1631-1638 (2002).

In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a conditionselected from the group consisting of hypercholesterolemia,atherosclerosis, low HDL levels, high LDL levels, hyperlipidemia,hypertriglyceridemia, and dyslipidemia, in a mammalian patient in needof such treatment is disclosed, comprising administering to the patienta therapeutically effective amount of a compound as defined instructural formula I and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

More particularly, in another aspect of the invention, a method oftreating a condition selected from the group consisting ofhypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, low HDL levels, high LDL levels,hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia, in a mammalianpatient in need of such treatment is disclosed, wherein the HMG-CoAreductase inhibitor is a statin.

Even more particularly, in another aspect of the invention, a method oftreating a condition selected from the group consisting ofhypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, low HDL levels, high LDL levels,hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia, in a mammalianpatient in need of such treatment is disclosed, wherein the HMG-CoAreductase inhibitor is a statin selected from the group consisting oflovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin,atorvastatin, itavastatin and rosuvastatin.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of reducing the risk ofdeveloping a condition selected from the group consisting ofhypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, low HDL levels, high LDL levels,hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia, and the sequelaeof such conditions is disclosed comprising administering to a mammalianpatient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount ofa compound as defined in structural formula I and an HMG-CoA reductaseinhibitor.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for delaying the onset orreducing the risk of; developing atherosclerosis in a human patient inneed of such treatment is disclosed comprising administering to saidpatient an effective amount of a compound as defined in structuralformula I and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

More particularly, a method for delaying the onset or reducing the riskof developing atherosclerosis in a human patient in need of suchtreatment is disclosed, wherein the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is astatin.

Even more particularly, a method for delaying the onset or reducing therisk of I developing atherosclerosis in a human patient in need of suchtreatment is disclosed, wherein the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is astatin selected from the group consisting of: lovastatin, simvastatin,pravastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, itavastatin, androsuvastatin.

Even more particularly, a method for delaying the onset or reducing therisk of developing atherosclerosis in a human patient in need of suchtreatment is disclosed, wherein the statin is simvastatin.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for delaying the onset orreducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis in a human patient inneed of such treatment is disclosed, wherein the HMG-CoA reductaseinhibitor is a statin and further comprising administering a cholesterolabsorption inhibitor.

More particularly, in another aspect of the invention, a method fordelaying the onset or reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis ina human patient in need of such treatment is disclosed, wherein theHMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is a statin and the cholesterol absorptioninhibitor is ezetimibe.

In another aspect of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition isdisclosed which comprises a compound according to structural formula I,a compound selected from the group consisting of: DP-IV inhibitors;insulin I sensitizing agents selected from the group consisting of PPARαagonists; PPARγ agonists, PPARα/γ dual agonists, and biguanides; insulinand insulin mimetics; sulfonylureas and other insulin secretagogues;oc-glucosidase inhibitors; glucagon receptor antagonists; GLP-1, GLP-1analogs, and GLP-1 receptor agonists; GIP, GIP mimetics, and GIPreceptor agonists; PACAP, PACAP mimetics, and PACAP receptor 3 agonists;cholesterol lowering agents selected from the group consisting ofHMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, sequestrants, (nicotinyl alcohol,nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, inhibitors of cholesterol absorption,acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitors, and anti-oxidants;PPARδ agonists; antiobesity compounds; ileal bile acid transporterinhibitors; anti-inflammatory agents other than glucocorticoids; proteintyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) inhibitors; and antihypertensivesincluding those acting on the angiotensin or renin systems, such asangiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptorantagonists or renin inhibitors, such as captopril, cilazapril,enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, quinapril, ramapril, zofenopril,candesartan, cilexetil, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, tasosartan,telmisartan, and valsartan; inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transferprotein (CETP); and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a process for themanufacture of said pharmaceutical compositions, characterized in thatone or more compounds according to the invention and one or morecompounds selected from the group consisting of solid, liquid orsemiliquid excipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents, carriers andpharmaceutically active agents other than the compounds according to theinvention, are converted in a suitable dosage form.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may beadministered by any means that achieve their intended purpose. Forexample, administration may be by oral, parenteral, topical, enteral,intravenous, intramuscular, inhalant, nasal, intraarticular,intraspinal, transtracheal, transocular, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal,transdermal, or buccal routes, Alternatively, or concurrently,administration may be by the oral route. The dosage administered will bedependent upon the age, health, and weight of the recipient, kind ofconcurrent treatment, if any, frequency of treatment, and the nature ofthe effect desired. Parenteral administration is preferred. Oraladministration is especially preferred.

Suitable dosage forms include, but are not limited to capsules, tablets,pellets, dragees, semi-solids, powders, granules, suppositories,ointments, creams, lotions, inhalants, injections, cataplasms, gels,tapes, eye drops, solution, syrups, aerosols, suspension, emulsion,which can be produced according to methods known in the art, for exampleas described below:

tablets:

mixing of active ingredients and auxiliaries, compression of saidmixture into tablets (direct compression), optionally granulation ofpart of mixture before compression.

capsules:

mixing of active ingredient's and auxiliaries to obtain a flowablepowder, optionally granulating powder, filling powders/granulate intoopened capsules, capping of capsules.

semi-solids (ointments, gels, creams):

dissolving/dispersing active ingredient's in an aqueous or fattycarrier; subsequent mixing of aqueous/fatty phase with complementaryfatty/aqueous phase, homogenization (creams only).

suppositories (rectal and vaginal):

dissolving/dispersing active ingredient's in carrier material liquifiedby heat (rectal: carrier material normally a wax; vaginal: carriernormally a heated solution of a gelling agent), casting said mixtureinto suppository forms, annealing and withdrawal suppositories from theforms.aerosols:dispersing/dissolving active agent's in a propellant, bottling saidmixture into an atomizer.

In general, non-chemical routes for the production of pharmaceuticalcompositions and/or pharmaceutical, preparations comprise processingsteps on suitable mechanical means known in the art that transfer one ormore compounds according to the invention into a dosage form suitablefor administration to a patient in need of such a treatment. Usually,the transfer of one or more compounds according to the invention intosuch a dosage form comprises the addition of one or more compounds,selected from the group consisting of carriers, excipients, auxiliariesand pharmaceutical active ingredients other than the compounds accordingto the invention. Suitable processing steps include, but are not limitedto combining, milling, mixing, granulating, dissolving, dispersing,homogenizing, casting and/or compressing the respective active andnon-active ingredients. Mechanical means for performing said processingsteps are known in the art, for example from Ullmann's Encyclopedia ofIndustrial Chemistry, 5th Edition. In this respect, active ingredientsare preferably at least one compound according to this invention and oneor more additional compounds other than the compounds according to theinvention, which show valuable pharmaceutical properties, preferablythose pharmaceutical active agents other than the compounds according tothe invention, which are disclosed herein.

Particularly suitable for oral use are tablets, pills, coated tablets,capsules, powders, granules, syrups, juices or drops, suitable forrectal use are suppositories, suitable for parenteral use are solutions,preferably oil-based or aqueous solutions, furthermore suspensions,emulsions or implants, and suitable for topical use are ointments,creams or powders. The novel compounds may also be lyophilised and theresultant lyophilisates used, for example, for the preparation ofinjection preparations. The preparations indicated may be sterilisedand/or comprise assistants, such as lubricants, preservatives,stabilisers and/or wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for modifying theosmotic pressure, buffer substances, dyes, flavours and/or a pluralityof further active ingredients, for example one or more vitamins.

Suitable excipients are organic or inorganic substances, which aresuitable for enteral (for example oral), parenteral or topicaladministration and do not react with the novel compounds, for examplewater, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, alkylene glycols, polyethyleneglycols, glycerol triacetate, gelatine, carbohydrates, such as lactose,sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol or starch (maize starch, wheat starch, ricestarch, potato starch), cellulose preparations and/or calciumphosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogenphosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, gelatine, tragacanth, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,polyvinyl pyrrolidone and/or Vaseline.

If desired, disintegrating agents may be added such as theabove-mentioned starches and also carboxymethyl-starch, cross-linkedpolyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof, such assodium alginate. Auxiliaries include, without limitation,flow-regulating agents and lubricants, for example, silica, talc,stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium stearate or calciumstearate, and/or polyethylene glycol. Dragee cores are provided withsuitable coatings, which, if desired, are resistant to gastric juices.For this purpose, concentrated saccharide solutions may be used, whichmay optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions andsuitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. In order to producecoatings resistant to gastric juices or to provide a dosage formaffording the advantage of prolonged action, the tablet, dragee or pillcan comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component me latterbeing in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components canbe separated by an enteric layer, which serves to resist disintegrationin the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into theduodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be usedfor such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a numberof polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materialsas shellac, acetyl alcohol, solutions of suitable cellulose preparationssuch as acetyl-cellulose phthalate, cellulose acetate orhydroxypropymethyl-cellulose phthalate, are used. Dye stuffs or pigmentsmay be added to the tablets or dragee coatings, for example, foridentification or in order to characterize combinations of activecompound doses.

Suitable carrier substances are organic or inorganic substances whichare suitable for enteral (e.g. oral) or parenteral administration ortopical application and do not react with the novel compounds, forexample water, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, polyethylene glycols,gelatin, carbohydrates such as lactose or starch, magnesium stearate,talc and petroleum jelly. In particular, tablets, coated tablets,capsules, syrups, suspensions, drops or suppositories are used forenteral administration, solutions, preferably oily or aqueous solutions,furthermore suspensions, emulsions or implants, are used for parenteraladministration, and ointments, creams or powders are used for topicalapplication. The novel compounds can also be lyophilized and thelyophilizates obtained can be used, for example, for the production ofinjection preparations.

The preparations indicated can be sterilized and/or can containexcipients such as lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers and/or wettingagents, emulsifiers, salts for affecting the osmotic pressure, buffersubstances, colorants, flavourings and/or aromatizers. They can, ifdesired, also contain one or more further active compounds, e.g. one ormore vitamins.

Other pharmaceutical preparations, which can be used orally includepush-fit capsules made of gelatine, as well as soft, sealed capsulesmade of gelatine and a plasticizer such as glycerol or sorbitol. Thepush-fit capsules can contain the active compounds in the form ofgranules, which may be mixed with fillers such as lactose, binders suchas starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and,optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds arepreferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fattyoils, or liquid paraffin. In addition, stabilizers may be added.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the presentinvention may be incorporated for administration orally include aqueoussolutions, suitably flavoured syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, andflavoured emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil,coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceuticalvehicles. Suitable dispersing or suspending agents for aqueoussuspensions include synthetic and natural gums such as tragacanth,acacia, alginate, dextran, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,methylcellulose, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone or gelatine.

Suitable formulations for parenteral administration include aqueoussolutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form, for example,water-soluble salts and alkaline solutions. In addition, suspensions ofthe active compounds as appropriate oily injection suspensions may beadministered. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fattyoils, for example, sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, forexample, ethyl oleate or triglycerides or polyethylene glycol-400 (thecompounds are soluble in PEG-400).

Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, which increase theviscosity of the suspension, including, for example, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, and/or dextran, optionally, thesuspension may also contain stabilizers.

For administration as an inhalation spray, it is possible to use spraysin which the active ingredient is either dissolved or suspended in apropellant gas or propellant gas mixture (for example CO₂ orchlorofluorocarbons). The active ingredient is advantageously used herein micronized form, in which case one or more additional physiologicallyacceptable solvents may be present, for example ethanol. Inhalationsolutions can be administered with the aid of conventional inhalers.

Possible pharmaceutical preparations, which can be used rectallyinclude, for example, suppositories, which consist of a combination ofone or more of the active compounds with a suppository base. Suitablesuppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides,or paraffin hydrocarbons. In addition, it is also possible to usegelatine rectal capsules, which consist of a combination of the activecompounds with a base. Possible base materials include, for example,liquid triglycerides, polyethylene glycols, or paraffin hydrocarbons.

For use in medicine, the compounds of the present invention will be inthe form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Other salts may, however,be useful in the preparation of the compounds according to the inventionor of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Suitable pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include acidaddition salts which may, for example be formed by mixing a solution ofthe compound according to the invention with a solution of apharmaceutically acceptable acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuricacid, methanesulphonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid,acetic acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid,carbonic acid or phosphoric acid. Furthermore, where the compounds ofthe invention carry an acidic moiety, suitable pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof may include alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium orpotassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts, e.g. calcium or magnesiumsalts; and salts formed with suitable organic bases, e.g. quaternaryammonium salts.

The present invention includes within its scope prodrugs of thecompounds of the present invention above. In general, such prodrugs willbe functional derivatives of the compounds of the present invention,which are readily convertible in vivo into the required compound of thepresent invention. Conventional procedures for the selection andpreparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example,in Design of Prodrugs, ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.

The pharmaceutical preparations can be employed as medicaments in humanand veterinary medicine. As used herein, the term “effective amount”means that amount of a drug or pharmaceutical agent that will elicit thebiological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human thatis being sought, for instance, by a researcher or clinician.Furthermore, the term “therapeutically effective amount” means anyamount which, as compared to a corresponding subject who has notreceived such amount, results in improved treatment, healing,prevention, or amelioration of a disease, disorder, or side effect, or adecrease in the rate of advancement of a disease or disorder. The termalso includes within its scope amounts effective to enhance normalphysiological function. Said therapeutic effective amount of one or moreof the compounds according to the invention is known to the skilledartisan or can be easily determined by standard methods known in theart.

The substances according to the invention are generally administeredanalogously to commercial preparations. Usually, suitable doses that aretherapeutically effective lie in the range between 0.0005 mg and 1000mg, preferably between 0.005 mg and 500 mg and especially between 0.5and 100 mg per dose unit. The daily dose is preferably between about0.001 and 10 mg/kg of body weight.

Those of skill will readily appreciate that dose levels can vary as afunction of the specific compound, the severity of the symptoms and thesusceptibility of the subject to side effects. Some of the specificcompounds are more potent than others. Preferred dosages for a givencompound are readily determinable by those of skill in the art by avariety of means. A preferred means is to measure the physiologicalpotency of a given compound.

The host, or patient, may be from any mammalian species, e.g., primatesp., particularly human; rodents, including mice, rats and hamsters;rabbits; equines, bovines, canines, felines; etc. Animal models are ofinterest for experimental investigations, providing a model fortreatment of human disease.

The specific dose for the individual patient depends, however, on themultitude of factors, for example on the efficacy of the specificcompounds employed, on the age, body weight, general state of health,the sex, the kind of diet, on the time and route of administration, onthe excretion rate, the kind of administration and the dosage form to beadministered, the pharmaceutical combination and severity of theparticular disorder to which the therapy relates. The specifictherapeutic effective dose for the individual patient can readily bedetermined by routine experimentation, for example by the doctor orphysician, which advises or attends the therapeutic treatment.

In the case of many disorders, the susceptibility of a particular cellto treatment with the subject compounds may be determined by in vitrotesting. Typically a culture of the cell is combined with a subjectcompound at varying concentrations for a period of time sufficient toallow the active agents to show a relevant reaction, usually betweenabout one hour and one week. For in vitro testing, cultured cells from abiopsy sample may be used.

Even without further details, it is assumed that a person skilled in theart will be able to utilise the above description in the broadest scope.The preferred embodiments should therefore merely be regarded asdescriptive disclosure, which is absolutely not limiting in any way.

Above and below, all temperatures are indicated in ° C. In the followingexamples, “conventional work-up” means that, if necessary, the solventis removed, water is added if necessary, the pH is adjusted, ifnecessary, to between 2 and 10, depending on the constitution of the endproduct, the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate or dichloromethane,the phases are separated, the organic phase is washed with saturatedNaHCO₃ solution, if desired with water and saturated NaCl solution, isdried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated, and the product ispurified by chromatography on silica gel, by preparative HPLC and/or bycrystallisation. The purified compounds are, if desired, freeze-dried.Mass spectrometry (MS): ESI (electrospray ionisation) (M+H)⁺

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AcOH acetic acid, anh anhydrous, atm atmosphere(s), BOCtert-butoxycarbonyl CDI 1,1′-carbonyl diimidazole, conc concentrated, dday(s), dec decomposition, DMAC N,N-dimethylacetamide, DMPU1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, DMFN,N-dimethylformamide, DMSO dimethylsulfoxide, DPPA diphenylphosphorylazide, EDCI 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, EtOAc ethylacetate, EtOH ethanol (100%), Et₂O diethyl ether, Et₃N triethylamine, hhour(s), MeOH methanol, pet. ether petroleum ether (boiling range 30-60°C.), temp. temperature, THF tetrahydrofuran, TFA trifluoroAcOH, Tftrifluoromethanesulfonyl.

The compounds of general formula I of the present invention can beprepared according to the procedures of the following schemes 1 and 2and the examples. In all preparative methods, all starting material isknown or may easily be prepared from known starting materials:

EXAMPLE 1(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanoneStep 1: Formylation 1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde

The compound was prepared as described by Seung-Jun Oh et al. (Bioorg.Med. Chem., 2004, 12, 5505)

POCl₃ (45 ml) was added dropwise at 0° C. under nitrogen to dry DMF (28ml) and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min. 7-azaindole (25 g,0.21 mol) was added slowly. Then the reaction mixture was stirred to RTand then at 80° C. for 24 h. After the reaction completion the reactionmixture was poured into ice, neutralized with cooled NaOH 1N solution,extracted with ethyl acetate then with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (90/10), basicifiedwith NaOH 1N solution and extracted again with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (90110). Theorganic phases were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to dryness togive an orange solid (16.3 g).

HPLC-MS (M+1) 147.1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 7.30 (dd, 1H), 8.36-8.43 (m, 2H), 8.49 (s, 1H), 9.94 (s,1H), 12.82 (s, 1H)

Step 2: Knoevenagel 2-Cyano-3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-acrylicacid methyl ester

7-azaindole-3-carboxaldehyde (3.36 g, 22.99 mmol) was taken in 60 ml ofmethanol and cooled to 0° C. Pipepridine (2.5 ml, 25.28 mmol) was addedfollowed by ethyl cyanoacetate (2.23 ml, 25.27 mmol). The reaction wasstirred at RT for 5 hrs then concentrated quenched with water andfiltered to give a yellow solid product (4.07 g).

HPLC-MS (M+1) 228.0

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 3.85 (s, 3H), 7.33 (dd, 1H), 8.42 (d, 1H), 8.55 (d, 1H),8.60 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H)

Step 3: Dicyanide Formation2-(1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-succinonitrile

Cyanoester (4.42 g, 19.45 mmol) was taken in methanol (60 ml) and water(12 ml). Potassium cyanide (2.53 g, 38.85 mmol) was added. The reactionmixture was refluxed for 2.5 hrs. The reaction mass was concentratedthen quenched with water, extracted with ethyl acetate dried overNa2SO4. Purification by column chromatography using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (95/05)as eluent gave a brownish solid product (2.67 g).

HPLC-MS (M+1) 197.0

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 3.46 (d, 2H), 5.02 (s, 1H), 7.18 (dd, 1H), 7.63 (s, 1H),8.17 (d, 1H), 8.32 (d, 1H), 11.93 (s, 1H)

Step 4: Cyclisation3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione

Dicyanide (0.64 g, 3.26 mmol) was taken in (3 ml) of glacial acetic acidand Sulphuric acid (0.64 ml) was added dropwise. The reaction mixturewas heated at 120° C. for 1.5 hr. The mixture was concentrated andquenched with water followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. Theorganic layer was concentrated to dryness and the residue purified bycolumn chromatography using heptane/ethyl acetate (10/90) then ethylacetate as eluent to give an orange solid (0.368 g).

HPLC-MS (M+1) 216.1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 2.87 (dd, 1H), 3.18 (dd, 1H), 4.38 (dd, 1H), 7.10 (dd,1H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 7.90 (d, 1H), 8.24 (d, 1H), 11.33 (s, 1H), 11.60 (s,1H)

Step 5: Reduction 3-Pyrrolidine-3-yl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine

LAH (0.211 g, 5.5 mmol) was taken in a RB flask and cooled to 0-5° C.,dry THF (10 ml) was added slowly followed by dione (0.25 g, 1.1 mmol).The reaction mixture was heated to reflux overnight quenched with water,15% NaOH and water. The derired product was extracted by ethyl acetateand concentrated to give an oil (187 mg) as crude product, which wasused in the next step without further purification.

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.78 (m, 2H), 2.15 (m, 2H), 2.7-3.05 (m, 2H), 3.2-3.45(m, 3H), 7.03 (dd, 1H), 7.29 (s, 1H), 8.01 (d, 1H), 8.21 (d, 1H), 11.37(s, 1H)

Step 6: Acylation(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

Previous amine (0.2 g 1.08 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (3 ml) and cooledto 0° C. Then HOBT (0.0432 g 0.318 mmol), EDCI (0.303 g 1.59 mmol) wereadded followed by triethylamine (0.44 ml) and 2-fluorobenzoic acid(0.178 g 1.27 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight, quenchedwith quenched with 20 ml of 10% sodium bicarbonate solution andextracted with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate was concentrated and pureproduct obtained by column chromatography as off white solid (0.050 g).

HPLC-MS (M+1) 310.1

¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 2-2.5 (m, 2H), 3.4-4 (m, 4H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 7-7.5 (m, 6H),7.9 (dd, 1H), 8.30 (s, 1H), 11.25 (s, 1H)

The following compounds were made in a similar way as described inexample 1

EXAMPLE 2(4-Methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 336.0

¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 2-2.5 (m, 2H), 2.3 (s, 3H), 3.2-4 (m, 4H), 3.8 (s, 3H),4.25 (m, 1H), 6.75 (m, 2H), 7.1-7.3 (m, 3H), 8.0 (dd, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H),10.6 (sl, 1H)

EXAMPLE 3(Cycloxexyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 298.3

¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 1-2.5 (m, 13H), 3.4-3.9 (m, 4H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 7.1-7.3 (m,2H), 8.15 (dd, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 10.8 (sl, 1H)

EXAMPLE 4(Pyridin-3-yl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridien-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 293.1

¹HNMR (MeOD) 2.1-2.5 (m, 2H), 3.6-4 (m, 4H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 7.1 (dd, 1H),7.3 (d, 1H), 7.5 (m, 1H), 7.9-8.3 (m, 3H), 8.65 (dd, 1H), 8.8 (s, 1H)

EXAMPLE 5[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-o-tolyl-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 306.3

¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 2.1-2.5 (m, 2H), 3.5 (s, 3H), 3.3-4.2 (m, 5H), 7.1-7.5 (m,6H), 8.15-8.3 (m, 2H)

EXAMPLE 62-Methyl-2-phenyl-1)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 334.1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.5 (s, 6H), 1.6-2.2 (m, 2H), 2.6-2.9 (m, 1H), 3.1-3.9(m, 4H), 6.9-7.5 (m, 7H), 7.9 (dd, 1H), 8.2 (s, 1H)

EXAMPLE 7(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 335.1

EXAMPLE 8(1-Phenyl-cyclopropyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 332.2

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 0.75-1.4 (m, 4H), 1.8-2.2 (m, 2H), 3.1-3.9 (m, 5H),6.9-7.4 (m, 7H), 7.9 (dd, 1H), 8.2 (s, 1H)

EXAMPLE 92-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 368.0

¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 1.5 (m, 6H), 1.7-2.3 (m, 2H), 2.8-4.1 (m, 5H), 6.9-7.5 (m,6H), 7.9 (dd, 1H), 8.30 (s, 1H), 9.6 (s, 1H)

EXAMPLE 102-Methyl-2-phenoxy-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 350.2

EXAMPLE 11(1-4(Chloro-phenyl)cyclobutyl-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 380.0

¹HNMR (MeOD) 1.8-2.5 (m, 6H), 2.7-3.25 (m, 4H), 3.5-4 (m, 3H), 6.9-7.5(m, 6H), 8.0 (dd, 1H), 8.15 (sl, 1H)

The following compounds were made in a similar way as described inexample 1 by using 3-Piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine instead of3-Pyrrolidin-3-yl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine

EXAMPLE 122-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 398.1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.1-1-9 (m, 4H), 1.61 (s, 6H), 2.65-3.2 (m, 3H), 4.6 (d,2H), 6.8-7.1 (m, 4H), 7.39 (d, 2H), 7.69 (d, 1H), 8.16 (d, 1H), 11.33(s, 1H)

EXAMPLE 132-Methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine-2-yl)-piperazine-1-yl]-propan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 501.2

EXAMPLE 144-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-butan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 410.2

EXAMPLE 152-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 382.1

EXAMPLE 16[1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropyl]-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 380.1

EXAMPLE 174-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-butan-1-one

HPLC-MS (M+1) 396,1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.13 (d, 6H), 2.04 (m, 1H), 2.38 (m, 3H), 3.25-4.05 (m,7H), 6.91 (m, 2H), 7.07 (m, 3H), 7.33 (dd, 1H), 8.00 (m, 1H), 8.22 (d,1H), 11.47 (sl, 1H)

EXAMPLE 18[1-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-Pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 366,1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 0.90-1.52 (m, 5H), 2.01 (m, 1H), 2.31 (m, 1H), 3.40-4.25(m, 4H), 7.03 (m, 3H), 7.05-7.30 (m, 3H), 7.94 (t, 1H), 8.21 (dd, 1H),11.41 (dl, 1H)

EXAMPLE 19[1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 366,1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1-1.50 (m, 4H), 2.01 (m, 1H), 2.25 (m, 1H), 3.21 (m,1H), 3.40-3.95 (m, 4H), 7.03 (m, 1H), 7.10-7.45 (m, 5H), 7.90 (dd, 1H),8.21 (t, 1H), 11.45 (sl, 1H)

EXAMPLE 202-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-ethanone

HPLC-MS (M+1) 404.0

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 2.01 (m, 1H), 2.33 (m, 1H), 3.25-4.15 (m, 5H), 4.69 (s,2H), 7.07 (m, 1H), 7.35 (dd, 1H), 7.74 (d, 2H), 7.94 (d, 2H), 8.01 (m,1H), 8.22 (m, 1H), 11.50 (sl, 1H)

EXAMPLES 21 Step 1: Condensation1-Benzyl-3-bromo-4-(1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

The compound was prepared according to Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12,3167.

A solution of EtMgBr (86.96 ml, 86.96 mmol, 1M in THF) was addeddropwise under nitrogen a solution of 7-azaindole (10.273 g, 86.96 mmol)in toluene 240 ml at RT. After 1.5 h a solution of2,3-dibromo-N-benzylmaleimide (10 g, 28.98 mmol) in toluene (240 ml) wasadded dropwise. Then the reaction mixture was stirred for 0.3 h, CH₂Cl₂(360 ml) was added and the mixture heated at 45° C. for 72 h. Hydrolysiswas performed by a saturated solution of NH₄Cl. After extraction withethyl acetate and concentration under vacuum, the desired compound wasprecipitated from CH₂Cl₂ and dried (6.92 g as yellow powder)

HPLC-MS (M+1) 384.0

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 4.72 (s, 2H), 7.15-7.45 (m 7H), 8.24 (s, 1H), 8.33 (s,1H), 12.75 (s, 1H)

Step 2: Hydrogenation1-Benzyl-3-(1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione

Vinylbromide (6.8 g 17.79 mmol) in MeOH (100 ml) was hydrogenated onPd/C₅% (0.68 g) under druck (10 bars) overnight. Then the reactionmixture was filtered and concentrated to dryness. The crude residue waspurified by flash chromatography using CH₂Cl₂ then CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (97/03)as eluent to give an oil, which was triturated with acetone to give thedesired product as light yellow powder 2.23 g

HPLC-MS (M+1) 306.1

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 3.2 (dd, 1H), 3.3 (dd, 1H), 4.38-4.75 (m, 3H), 7.16-7.49(m, 6H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 8.25 (d, 1H), 8.4 (d, 1H), 12.4 (s, 1H)

Step 3: Debenzylation(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione

To (0.5 g 1.638 mmol) of the above compound in toluene (30 ml) was addedAlCl₃ (1.093 g 8.2 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated to refluxovernight. Toluene was evaporated, water was added and the residueextracted with ethyl acetate. After evaporation the crude product waspurified by flash chromatography using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (95/05) as eluent andprecipitated from isopropylic ether to give a brown solid 0.26 g

HPLC-MS (M+1) 216.0

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 2.87 (dd, 1H), 3.18 (dd, 1H), 4.38 (dd, 1H), 7.10 (dd,1H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 7.90 (d, 1H), 8.24 (d, 1H), 11.33 (s, 1H), 11.60 (s,1H)

Steps 4 and 5: Reduction and acylation were performed as described inexample 1

EXAMPLES 22 Step 1: Condensation5-(1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester and5-(1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester

7-azaindole (0.5 g, 4.23 mmol) and N-Boc-piperidin-3-one (2.1 g, 10.5mmol) and 2M KOH in MeOH (11 ml) were heated at 60° C. for 17 h. Thenthe reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, taken in ethyl acetateand the organic phase was washed with water and brine, dried overmagnesium sulphate and concentrated to dryness. The residue wastriturated with a mixture of methylene chloride and heptane. Theprecipitate was filtered and dried to give a mixture ˜75/25 of thedesired products as light yellow solid (0.356 g). The mother liquor waspurified by flash chromatography using heptane/ethyl acetate from 60/40to 40/60 as eluent to give a mixture ˜65/35 of the desired products aslight yellow powder (0.455 g)

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) major product 1.51 (d, 9H), 1.92 (m, 2H), 2.44 (m, 2H),3.57 (m, 2H), 7.14 (m, 1H), 7.36 (dd, 1H), 7.49 (d, 1H), 8.05 (m, 1H),8.25 (d, 1H), 11.64 (sl, 1H). minor product 1.46 (s, 9H), 2.30 (m, 2H),3.52 (m, 2H), 4.24 (sl, 2H), 6.31 (m, 1H), 7.11 (m, 1H), 7.56 (sl, 1H),8.20 (m, 2H), 11.75 (sl, 1H)

Step 2: Hydrogenation3-(1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acidtest-butyl ester

A mixture of the above isomers (0.428 g 1.43 mmol) in a mixture of 1/1MeOH/THF (10 ml) was hydrogenated on Pd(OH)₂/C 10-20% (0.01 g) underdruck (10 bars) for 4 h. Then the reaction mixture was filtered andconcentrated to dryness. The crude residue was purified by flashchromatography using heptane/ethyl acetate 60/40 as eluent to give thedesired product as an oily solid (0.17 g).

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.43 (s, 9H), 1.75-1.85 (m, 3H), 2.04 (dl, 1H), 2.89 (m,3H), 3.93 (dl, 1H), 4.1 (sl, 1H), 7.06 (dd, 1H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 8.01 (m,1H), 8.23 (m, 1H), 11.45 (sl, 1H)

Step 3; Deprotection 3-Piperidine-3-yl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine

To the above compound (93 mg, 0.31 mmol) in dioxan (1 ml) was added0.232 ml of a 4M solution of HCl in dioxin. The reaction mixture wasstirred at RT for 2 h and concentrated to dryness. The residue waspurified by flash chromatography using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/NH₃ (90/10/3) aseluent to give the desired product as an oily solid (10 mg).

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.55-1.75 (m, 3H), 2.02 (sl, 1H), 2.88 (m, 2H), 2.9-3.1(m, 2H), 3.75 (sl, 1H), 7.04 (dd, 1H), 7.25 (s, 1H), 7.99 (d, 1H), 8.18(dd, 1H), 11.40 (sl, 1H)

Steps 4: Acylation were performed as described in example 1

EXAMPLE 23 Assays—Measurements of Inhibition Constants

Human recombinant 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) and type 2 (11beta-HSD2) enzymes were expressed in E. Coli.Mice and Rat liver microsome fractions were purchased from TEBU.

The 11beta-HSD1 enzyme assay was carried out in 96 well microtiterplates in a total volume of 100 μl containing 30 mM Hepes buffer, pH 7.4with 1 mM EDTA, substrate mixture cortisone I NADPH (200 nM 1200 μM),G-6-P (1 mM) and inhibitors in serial dilutions. Reactions wereinitiated by addition of 10 μl 11beta-HSD1 (3 μg) from E. Coli, eitheras microsome fractions from rat and mice liver (2,5 μg). Followingmixing, the plates were shaken for 150 minutes at 37° C. The reactionswere terminated with 10 μl Acid-18beta glycyrrhetinic stop solution.Determinations of cortisol levels in 11 beta-HSD1 preparations weremonitored by HTRF (HTRF cortisol assay from C is bio international).

Activity is expressed in % of control or concentration to inhibit 50% ofthe enzyme activity (1050).

This assay was similarly applied to 11 beta-HSD2 enzyme, werebycortisol, NAD, and carbenoxolone were used as the substrate, cofactorand stopping agent, respectively.

Inhibition Inhibition Inhibition Inhibition of human 11- of mouse 11- ofrat 11- of human 11- Selectivity Example beta HSD-1 beta HSD-1 betaHSD-1 beta HSD-2 Ratio human No. IC50 (μM) IC50 (μM) IC50 (μM) IC50 (μM)HSD2/HSD1 Ex. 3 0.54 0.95 0.51  — — Ex. 5 0.36 60% of Ctrl — — — at 1 μMEx. 6 0.025 0.23 0.051 >10 >400 Ex. 7 — 0.17 0.043 >10 — Ex. 8 0.050 —0.048 >10 >200 Ex. 9 0.0098 — 0.92  >10 >1 000   Ex. 11 0.0073 — 1.7  —— Ex. 13 1.14 — — — — Ex. 14 0.11 86% of Ctrl 85% of Ctrl — — at 1 μM at1 μM Ex. 17 0.016 2.1  — — — Ex. 20 0.029 — — — —

EXAMPLE 24 Injection Vials

A solution of 100 g of an active compound of the present invention and 5g of disodium hydrogenphosphate is adjusted to pH 6.5 in 3 l ofdouble-distilled water using al hydrochloric acid, sterile-filtered,dispensed into injection vials, lyophilized under sterile conditions andaseptically sealed. Each injection vial contains 5 mg of activecompound.

EXAMPLE 25 Suppositories

A mixture of 20 g of an active compound of the present invention isfused with 100 g of soya lecithin and 1400 g of cocoa butter, pouredinto moulds and allowed to cool. Each suppository contains 20 mg ofactive compound.

EXAMPLE 26 Solution

A solution of 1 g of an active compound of the present invention, 9.38 gof NaH₂PO₄.2H₂O, 28.48 g of Na₂HPO₄.12H₂O and 0.1 g of benzalkoniumchloride in 940 ml of double-distilled water is prepared. It is adjustedto pH 6.8, made up to 1 l and sterilized by irradiation. This solutioncan be used in the form of eye drops.

EXAMPLE 27 Ointment

500 mg of an active compound of the present invention is mixed with 99.5g of petroleum jelly under aseptic conditions.

EXAMPLE 28 Tablets

A mixture of 1 kg of an active compound of the present invention, 4 kgof lactose, 1.2 kg of potato starch, 0.2 kg of talc and 0.1 kg ofmagnesium stearate is compressed to give tablets in a customary mannersuch that each tablet contains 10 mg of active compound.

EXAMPLE 29 Coated Tablets

Analogously to the previous example, tablets are pressed and are thencoated in a customary manner using a coating of sucrose, potato starch,talc, tragacanth and colourant.

EXAMPLE 30 Capsules

2 kg of an active compound of the present invention are dispensed intohard gelatin capsules in a customary manner such that each capsulecontains 20 mg of the active compound.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I,

wherein R¹, R² are independently from each other H or alkyl, R³, R⁴ areeach H, R⁵, R⁶ are each H, X is —(C)_(m)— or —S(O)₂—, Y is alkyl,aryloxy, phenyl or heteroaryl optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted byHal, alkyl or trifluoromethyl, n is 1 or 2, and m is 0 or 1, or aphysiologically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof, or mixturesthereof in all ratios.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 selected fromthe group consisting of b)(4-Methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonef) 2Methyl-2-phenyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onei)2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onej)2-Methyl-2-phenoxy-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onek)(1-4(Chloro-phenyl)cyclobutyl-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonel)2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onem)2-Methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazine-1-yl]-propane-1-onen)4-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-butan-1-oneo)2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-oneq)4-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-butan-1-oner)[1-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonet)2-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-ethanoneand the physiologically acceptable salts, stereoisomers thereof, andmixtures thereof in all ratios.
 3. A compound selected from the groupconsisting of a)(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanoneb)(4-Methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonec)(Cyclohexyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanoned)(Pyridin-3-yl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonee)[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-o-tolyl-methanonef) 2Methyl-2-phenyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-oneg)4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanoneh)(1-Phenyl-cyclopropyl)-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonei)2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onej)2-Methyl-2-phenoxy-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onek)(1-4(Chloro-phenyl)cyclobutyl-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonel)2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onem)2-Methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazine-1-yl]-propane-1-onen)4-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-butan-1-oneo)2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-1-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-propan-1-onep)[1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropyl]-[4-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-piperidine-1-yl]-methanoneq)4-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-butan-1-oner)[1-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanones)[1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-cyclopropyl]-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-methanonet)2-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1-[3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-yl]-ethanoneand the physiologically acceptable salts, and stereoisomers thereof,including and mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 4. A method for thepreparation of a compound according to claim 1, comprising a)formulating an azaindole of formula II,

to obtain an aldehyde of formula III,

reacting said aldehyde of formula III with ethylcyanoacetate followed byMichael addition of cyanide, acidic cyclization and hydride reduction toobtain a pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV,

acylating said pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV with activatedcarboxylic acid of formula V

to obtain the compound of formula I, b) condensing an azaindole offormula II, with a bromo-maleimide VI

to obtain the pyrrolidinedione of formula VII,

hydrogenating said pyrrolidinedione of formula VII followed successivelyby benzylic deprotection and hydride reduction producing apyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV, acylating saidpyrrolidino-azaindole of formula IV with activated carboxylic acid offormula V to obtain the compound of formula I, c) reacting an azaindoleof formula II, under basic media with a ketone VIII,

to obtain a mixture of olefins of formula IX and X,

hydrogenating said olefins of formula IX and X followed by Bocdeprotection yielding a pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula XI, acylationof said pyrrolidino-azaindole of formula XI,

with activated carboxylic acid of formula V to obtain the compound offormula I d) converting a residue X, Y, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and/or R⁶ asdefined in claim 1, to another residue X, Y, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and/orR⁶ or e) isolating and/or treating a compound of formula I with an acidor a base, to obtain a salt thereof.
 5. A pharmaceutical composition,comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compoundsaccording to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 6. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 5, further comprising oneor more additional compounds, that are physiologically acceptableexcipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents, carriers orpharmaceutically active agents other than the compounds of formula I. 7.A kit comprising separate packets of a) a therapeutically effectiveamount of one or more compounds according to claim 1 and b) atherapeutically effective amount of one or more further pharmaceuticallyactive agents other than the compounds of formula I.
 8. A process forthe manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition, comprising convertingone or more compounds according to claim 1 and one or more solid, liquidor semiliquid excipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents, carriers orpharmaceutically active agents other than the compounds of formula I,into a suitable dosage form.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition, comprisinga therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds according toclaim 3 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. A method for thetreatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of acompound of claim
 1. 11. A method for the treatment of non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus, comprising administering to a subject inneed thereof an effective amount of a compound of claim 3.